Skill smarts and power Why Samu Kerevi is the worlds best midfielder

Elite coaches have a way of seeing what is a complex game in simple terms, so when Japan attack coach Tony Brown told the Herald and The Age that Quade Cooper and Samu Kerevi were the reasons for the Wallabies’ form revival, it cut straight to the point.

Kerevi was out of this world against the Pumas on Saturday, and looks an even better player than the one who left for Japan a few years ago.

He’s always had incredible power, but his accuracy and option-taking have gone to the next level, and it is allowing Cooper to play that beautifully understated but effective role we have seen in the past few Tests.

Australia’s Samu Kerevi breaks the tackle of Argentina’s Marcos Kremer.Credit:AP

Argentina knew the Kerevi threat was coming but they couldn’t stop him - which says something given the Pumas’ physicality in the back row, where Pablo Matera had his best game of the Rugby Championship.

2. The changes are coming.

Dave Rennie looked like he was planning a week ahead when he gave Tate McDermott and James O’Connor some good minutes in the second half, and it wouldn’t be a surprise to see at least one, and possibly both, start against Argentina next week. In fact, it could be a backline that pleases Reds fans, who have been feeling a little left out in recent weeks even though the Wallabies are winning.

James O’Connor made his return from injury.Credit:AP

Jordan Petaia and Hunter Paisami must be banging on the door, even though Len Ikitau has been superb. The balancing act will be to make changes but still pay the Pumas the respect they deserve (see point 5). The All Blacks made 11 changes for their second Test against Argentina and won, but Australia’s depth does not reach that far.

3. Those third quarter blues.

The Wallabies lost their way a bit for 20 minutes after halftime, and Rennie’s irritation at this may stem from the fact that it is a strange and recurring issue. For reasons best known to themselves, the Wallabies have been outscored in the third quarter in all five rounds of the Rugby Championship so far, including the wins against the Springboks.

The Wallabies pose together after beating Argentina.Credit:Getty

On Saturday, they were probably quite lucky that Pumas back-rower Marcos Kremer completely lost his discipline, as the Test was tightening up.

That will frustrate Rennie, because the Wallabies tight five had done a great job in exerting pressure on the Pumas, and the home side looked in control in the first half.

4. The substitution that cost the Springboks the game.

Say what you want about South Africa, but they would have beaten the All Blacks had they not replaced Faf de Klerk with five minutes to go. As soon as Herschel Jantjies came on, the Springboks started using the ball more, to their own downfall. In the plays leading up to the All Blacks’ matchwinning ruck penalty, Jantjies threw a wide pass to No 10 Handre Pollard, who is horribly out of form, and he hit a dud kick that set up an All Blacks counterattack.

There is no way that ball would have reached Pollard with de Klerk on the field - he would have simply launched another perfectly judged high kick. The Springboks’ entire game is based on de Klerk’s boot, yet they replaced him just when they needed him most.

And, it’s not the first time such a decision has cost them a Test against the All Blacks.

5. Mario Ledesma has a point.

There was a clear sense of frustration - and perhaps deflection - in Ledesma’s post-game comments in which he said the Pumas were disrespected by the captains’ photo shoot that proceeded without their captain, Juan Montoya.

But he’s dead right. Logistical challenges aside, it seemed an odd decision to proceed with the publicity photos minus Montoya, who has now effectively been airbrushed out of the Rugby Championship’s history in 2021.

Michael Hooper of the Wallabies, Siya Kolisi of the Springboks and Ardie Savea of the All Blacks pose with the Rugby Championship trophy .Credit:Getty

The sense of insult would have been magnified that Montoya has been inspirational for the Pumas this year - tough over the ball and a worthy successor to Agustin Creevy.

Paul Cully’s Team of the Week

1. James Slipper (Australia)

2. Codie Taylor (New Zealand)

3. Taniela Tupou (Australia)

4. Lood de Jager (South Africa)

5. Matt Philip (Australia)

6. Siya Kolisi (South Africa)

7. Ethan Blackadder (New Zealand)

8. Pablo Matera (Argentina)

9. Faf de Klerk (South Africa)

10. Quade Cooper (Australia)

11. Marika Koroibete (Australia)

12. Samu Kerevi (Australia)

13. Len Ikitau (Australia)

14. Andrew Kellaway (Australia)

15. Jordie Barrett (New Zealand)

Stan Sport is the only place to watch every match of the The Rugby Championship continuing this Saturday with the Wallabies v Argentina followed by the Springboks v All Blacks â€" both matches streaming live, extended and ad-free on Stan Sport from 4:15pm AEST.

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